Click here for the link and video. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1103-autism_caught_on_tape.htm)
ScienceDaily () -- Computer scientists have devised two tools to help people interact with autistic children. Videotaping interactions allows teachers or parents to replay situations and evaluate the cause of particularly good or bad behavior. Cataloging actual data, rather relying on memory or interpretation, proves to be a more accurate measure of a situation. These tools are demonstrated in a simple but startling video. You need to watch this video and ask yourself, "How close to this can I get my child's school?"
For a couple years, as a provincial consultant with POPARD, my job was to drive or get on a plane and arrive at a school where there were severe behaviour problems going on. The tool I used to figure out the problem was simple: I watched. That's what this video system does for the teacher, it watches. And more important, it avoids the many pitfalls of relying upon memory of what happened. When teachers try to remember what happened before and after a behaviour of concern they are often unaware of the environment (watch the video!) or they may already have preconceived notions of what is causing the behaviour, and look for that "thing" to happen. Coming in as an outside observer I am often able to avoid both these problems. But this video system...well, I've been replace!
Some simple variations on this tracking system would be to just video times of the day when you know there will be a problem. But you need to collect data to understand the issues.
What the tape skips is the reason we are doing this. Watching you'll see a young boy starts hitting himself. Why? Often times we will hear 1) To get attention , or 2)for self stimulation. Neither of these were the reason in this case, and usually are not. Self abuse and violence with young children with autism is often for communication. Data, information, helps us understand the FUNCTION of a behaviour. Once we understand the function we can do two things: 1) Change the environment so the child doesn't need to engage in the behaviour, and 2) Teach a new skill to meet the function. In the video the child want's something, and can't communicate quickly and easily enough to get what he wants. Yes, he needed to get someone's attention to get it, but attention is not the goal. By watching the situation carefully we can understand the function of the behaviour and teach a new skill to meet that function. MAybe in this case the child needs some visual supports to help communicate (a communication book or pad?). Maybe he needs to practice and be successful at using a sign? I don't have enough details about this child's level of communication skills, but what is important is that we always need to specify how we are going to gather data, gat information, to answer our questions. Video is one possible means. And if your child is having a severe problem at school, I'd have the school watch this video and figure out how they intend to collect that data they need to complete a reliable Functional Behaviour Analysis (FBA).
This blog is not offered as medical advice or as a means of diagnosing or treating autism, Asperger's disorder or any other disorder. Don't go on-line and take an "autism test." The diagnosis is complex, and it involves not just looking for symptoms of autism, but also ruling out other disorders that might look just like autism, Aspergers and other disorders related to ASD. So avoid these on-line "tests" which are nothing more than a collection of symptoms. You need to see a licensed or registered professional for that. Medical doctors can diagnose autism, but the diagnosis is complex and often they will make a referral to a Registered Psychologist. You can obtain a referral from the British Columbia Psychological Association for a psychologist near you. The Ministry of Family Services can also advise you on obtaining many diagnostic services for free in your community.
My web page lists a number of resources you can make use of yourself in dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger's, as well as many other learning disabilities. Please visit it at www.socialcognitivetherapy.com, or one of my other sites at: Psychology Today, AAMFT, PSYRIS or my professional site or www.adhdhelp.ca.
Autism assessment and treatment services are offered for individuals, couples, families, children, adolescents and adults in the Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Moody, New Westminster and Maple Ridge areas of the lower mainland. This includes neuro-developmental assessments, psycho-education assessments, autism assessments as well as behavioural and cognitive behaviour therapy. I also provide diagnostic assessments for autism and Asperger's Disorder in my Burnaby office.
Dr. Jim Roche
Registered Psychologist, British Columbia 01610
778.998-7975
www.relatedminds.com
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